Being deployed certainly comes with a price. We have talked about this previously, however! Being apart from your family on holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, special events, etc. is still a bummer! I've been at work since about 6:00am on this Sunday/Fathers Day and it's now 6:00pm. All day as I'm working through the endless pile of things to do, I'm thinking of each one of my kids, their faces, expressions, laughter, angry moments and reflect on how I miss them. We're all grown up and doing what we do and if home, it would probably be me and my wonderful wife out and about doing something. The kids calling and saying "Happy Fathers Day". Kids, you don't know how much that means to me and how much it means to your Mom when you tell her "Happy Mothers Day" or just a simple out of the blue "I Love You"!
Mom and I truly blessed with each one of you! Yes, even though we have our moments, you are loved beyond measure. I'm proud of each one of you for the choices you have made and the choices you will make. Each one of you will continue to do great things and conquer the world or at least your piece of it! I love you and thank you each for all the joy you bring me each day! You are my strength each and every day!
Just as a side note and a general update.
The last couple of weeks are of course busy for me at work. The local Taliban have not launched rockets our way for several days. This of course is a good thing. However, it makes everyone a little nervous as though they are saving up! In the upcoming weeks Kandahar City, which is outside our base, will have some increased activity. We have troops rolling in everyday and occupying several locations near the city. We anticipate activities to increase. All will be good as our base is strongly fortified and difficult to penetrate. I look at these young soldiers, some that barely look old enough to drive and they are faced with some serious challenges. In charge of other soldiers, equipment, the security of their missions and the safety of the friendly local Afghan people. All in the name of freedom. I say this because many of the young men (and older ones too) are fathers. I just hope they are thought of as my kids think of me! For those that are not, I ask that
everyone simply say a "Happy Fathers Day" in their honor.
The living conditions out in the field where most of these units are positioned remind me of the day back in Desert Shield/Storm. I did my time in a GP medium with 16 other soldiers, eating MRE's, showering bird-style with bottles of water, washing clothes by hand in buckets for over ten months. My time here at Kandahar is an office, a sheltered building with a bed and access to dining facilities. In the scheme of things, comparably, it's not so bad! I just hope that what I am doing to get these soldiers the things they need in the field improve their situation in some way!
There is more work to be done and plenty of it! I'll try to get another update out soon! In the meantime, I hope everyone stays well!
With mounds and mounds of love!
R2
The Dark Days
2 years ago
Rich,
ReplyDeleteYou do a great job of boosting other people in their time of need. I have to say you are one of the best soldiers I have ever known in my 24 years of service. You are an inspiration to be around. I have never met anyone so dedicated to doing the job and doing it right. In a short period of time you have won the admiration and respect of everyone in the contracting office.
I am proud to have the oppurtunity to share this deployment with you.
Jeff
My Love, you are so missed. Not just on Father's Day (which we would so be spending in the Bike - rolling trough the hills of TN), but each and every day! I am very proud of you and the successes you are achieving in your work there.
ReplyDeleteMy love for you only deepens with each passing minute!
Rich,
ReplyDeleteSorry our telecon was cut short yesterday. It certainly was good to hear Jeff and your voices. I hope you and Jeff have an opportunity to update Todd and Daniel on your meeting. The great job you all are doing there does make a difference in the quality of life to all those young Soldiers you mnetioned. Keep up the great work.